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Carlisle gave Jean a polite but firm smile. He could tell she was testing him, trying to gauge how far she could push with her charm. He wasn’t a naive teenager anymore; his experience in navigating tricky situations had grown since his previous life. While he acknowledged her allure, he wasn’t interested in getting sidetracked by anything that could distract him from his goals.
“I’m just being cautious,” he said smoothly, his voice calm. “It’s best we finalize everything tomorrow. No need for any rush.”
Jean tilted her head slightly, her smile still present, but Carlisle could see a flicker of disappointment behind her eyes. She was used to getting what she wanted with charm, but he wasn’t so easily swayed. Still, she nodded, her expression unreadable.
“Alright, tomorrow then,” Jean said, her tone shifting to one of professional politeness, though her earlier flirtation had left a trace in the air. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Carlisle turned to Heath, Benjamin, and the others, signaling that it was time to go. As they walked back to the car, Heath gave him a sideways glance, clearly impressed by how Carlisle had handled the situation.
“You’re something else, Carl,” Heath commented with a grin, though it seemed like more of a respect than an insult. “Not many guys your age would pass up an opportunity like that.”
Carlisle chuckled, his gaze steady ahead. “I’m not in a hurry for those kinds of distractions. We’ve got bigger things to focus on.”
Benjamin gave a slight laugh, not understanding the gravity of Carlisle’s words but recognizing that something deeper was at play. Owen, on the other hand, seemed to pick up on the shift in Carlisle’s demeanor and was visibly more focused on the larger plans they’d been discussing.
The group drove back to the hotel, and Carlisle’s mind remained sharp, planning the next steps. He had the house secured, and the game studio would be up and running soon. Heath, Benjamin, and Owen were starting to understand the scope of what Carlisle wanted to achieve, even if they didn’t fully grasp all the moving parts. The key was to keep them loyal and working toward the shared goal: building an empire.
As he lay in bed later that night, Carlisle reflected on the day’s events. He had managed to make some progress, and though the road ahead was full of uncertainties, he was more confident than ever. Riverland was a city full of potential, and he intended to capitalize on it all—one step at a time.
